Uptake of higher level maths is still growing

The uptake of higher-level maths is still growing among Junior Certificate students, as the effects of curriculum reform and college course application considerations continue.

Despite fewer overall Junior Certificate students this year, nearly 500 more than a year ago sat honours maths in June. The 32,535 people getting a result in higher-level maths is also over 2,000 more than in 2013.

The proportion of those taking maths exams who sit higher level now stands at 55%, up from 48% in 2012. And the results also suggest that a wider mix of students attempting harder exams is not affecting performance, as 78.4% who did so this summer got an honours grade (A, B or C) — up on the numbers in more recent years and approaching the rates in 2011 and 2012.